PREFACE. 
The Author of the following pages is 
sensible that the practice of writing a long 
Preface is obsolete, and would gladly avail 
himself of the example of most modem writers 
in this respect; but the novelty of the sub¬ 
ject, and the nature of the information con¬ 
tained in his Work, render it necessary for 
him to give some account of the authorities 
from which it is derived. 
The principal original Works which he 
has had occasion to consult in the compila¬ 
tion, are, Flacourf s History of Madagascar ; 
M. de V’s Voyage to Madagascar; Voyages 
of the Dutch East-Xndia Company; Drury s 
Narrative; Rochori*s Voyage; Renyowsky’s 
Memoirs; JVadstroiu s Essay on Coloniza¬ 
tion; and the Missionary Accounts . Many 
others have been consulted; but as the above 
contain the body of information, he thinks it 
necessary to speak particularly of them only. 
Flacourt’s History is considered authentic, 
and is quoted by all who have written on the 
